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[0:00] Alan Seales: Welcome back to the Theatre Podcast. Intimate, personal conversations with the industry's biggest names. I'm your host, Alan Seales, and our guests today are the leads of the Nat'l Tour of The Prom, Kaden Kearney and Kalyn West. Every time I speak with anyone who is involved with this show, who is involved with The Prom, you can just feel the love that pours out of them for this story and how much it means to them and the audience. You'll hear from the conversation with the two of them. It's allowed each of them to become more comfortable with who they are individually. They both hear constant stories from the audience. They get feedback and DMs through social media and whatnot. They hear these stories from the audience that the show has literally changed their lives.

You hear people talk about, I saw a Broadway show and it changed my life. But this show, specifically The Prom, has a reputation for literally helping people change their lives, whether it's coming to terms with their own sexuality or coming out to their parents or whatever the case is. There are so few stories that have to deal with queer teenagers that this one stands out in a way that just touches so many people in such a phenomenal way. Go see the show if you haven't seen it. See Kaden and Kalyn in the tour if you can, if it's coming anywhere near you. Find me online on Instagram and Twitter at theatre underscore podcast on TikTok. TikTok on TikTok at the theatre podcast. And now everybody, please enjoy this wonderful interview with Kaden and Kalyn.

[1:52] Alan Seales: I am so incredibly happy to welcome today's guests, two of them who are representing one of my favorite musicals of all time. No joke. Kaden Kearney as Emma and Kalyn West as Alyssa Green. They are both starring opposite each other in the national tour of The Prom. Kaden and Kalyn, I am so thrilled to welcome you both to the podcast. Welcome to the Theatre Podcast.

[2:13] Kalyn West: Thank you so much for having us. We're really excited to be here.

[2:16] Kaden Kearney: Yes.

[2:17] Alan Seales: Oh, it's amazing. This show, when I said it's one of my favorite musicals of all time, I absolutely, I mean that very, very sincerely because you hear the trope of like, I saw theater and I went to Broadway and it changed my life. And it's like, that's what I want to do. People say, that's what I want to do. That's what I, you know, it just makes people want to become an actor or whatnot. But this show goes so far beyond that because it speaks to an issue of queerness. It speaks to issues of being non-binary. It speaks to religious intolerance. There are so many levels that this show, I just start to pull back the onion of what The Prom is because you look online like, what's The Prom? It's like, oh, four Broadway, watch the Broadway actors go to the Midwest and help a girl go to prom with her girlfriend.

And that doesn't even scratch the surface of how amazing this show is. It's so hard to put this show into a soundbite, into a single sentence. Usually, I'll start trying to explain what it is and then I end up resorting to, you just need to come and see it. Just come and see it because it's beyond words. You have to feel it.

[3:29] Alan Seales: Yeah. So, for the two of you, and you've got completely different experiences leading up to the same moment. And I love that about the both of you because like, Kalyn, you were part of the original Broadway cast and Kaden, this is your, you're relatively newer to the scene being this is your first national tour and you haven't had the fortune of being on Broadway yet. And so, you're both coming from different directions with different personal backgrounds too. And there's so many questions I want to get into because like, Kalyn, you, I think you were born in Salt Lake City, right?

[4:01] Kalyn West: Yeah.

[4:07] Alan Seales: Yeah. Right. So, stereotypically, very assume anything, but that's out there. And then, Kaden, you identify as non-binary. So, you're bringing that personal experience into the show and into the world. So, I guess, Kalyn, let's start with you and tell me your story of how you got into theater in the first place and then how you got involved with The Prom.

[4:27] Kalyn West: Well, I mean, whenever I get this question, I kind of always have to take it back to my mom always told me that I was singing before I could talk and dancing before I could walk. So, it was like zero surprise to anyone that I wanted to be on stage and I wanted to dance and I wanted to sing and I wanted to do all those artsy things. I was very artistically inclined. And so, from a pretty young age, I started off as a dancer and I moved a lot. So, it was kind of like my training was a little spotty, but I did like classes here and then here and all over the place. And it wasn't until I got into junior high that I even started to have a concept of musical theater. No one else in my family does this.

So, I honestly had no idea what it was or what it entailed. And the only reason I fell into it was because a friend of mine dragged me to the audition in seventh grade because they needed more dancers. And so, I was like, okay. So, we went and it was a production of The Music Man, the only show I've... Well, I was about to say the only show I've done twice, but actually, this one I've done twice now. But so, Music Man was my first show that I did in seventh grade. And I got a solo in Wells Fargo wagon. And I remember suddenly thinking like, oh, like I'm good at this. I can do this. And well, because I didn't know. I'd never tried it before. And so, I really, I got more into it. And then it was really in high school when I got my first lead.

I played Belle in Beauty and the Beast. And I just remember feeling this sense of confidence that I had never known in my life. I felt really in my own skin. I felt like I started to see who I was and I felt powerful and I'd never felt that. And so, I kind of just decided then and there that I was going to do it. And then that's what I did. So, I went to Weber State University, which is a university in Northern Utah. And there's a great musical theater program there where I got some really wonderful opportunities in all aspects of the theatrical endeavor, from tech and costume design and set design. And then I ran the soundboard once for a show and it was the most awesome experience ever. So, I did my bachelor's in musical theater there. I also got a bachelor's in anthropology while I was there. And then shortly after I graduated, huh? No. Anthropology, the study of peoples and cultures, which is what actors do.

[7:09] Kalyn West: Yeah. The science. Yeah. So, I did that, which was, I just think that made me a better artist. It made me a better human. So, after I graduated in 2013, I did a show locally and I managed to get my equity card pretty fast because I'd always told myself I needed to join equity before I moved to New York because I knew I was going to have to work to support myself once I got to New York. So, I was like, I can't. I have to be able to get in the rooms. So, that was kind of a prerequisite for me. And I did this show where they were short an equity contract and the artistic director and director knew I was going to move to New York. So, they gave me my equity card. So, I was very fortunate. Yeah. And after that happened, I was like, well, there's nothing standing between me and the city besides buying a plane ticket.

So, I bought a plane ticket and I left and I didn't have anywhere to live and I didn't have a job. And then I landed and I crashed on my friend's couch and I found both within a week. So, it was kind of wild. And then, you know, just spent the next number of years auditioning and auditioning and I got my agents, which was such a blessing. That was a huge game changer for me to have them in my corner. And then it was 2018 when I auditioned for The Prom and I remember getting the audition and thinking like, I'm not right for this. And then I went into the room and it was a dance call. And I remember walking in there and seeing tons of girls in jewel tone shirts and lots of bright colors. And I literally came in with a dark lip, kind of looking like I look like right now.

I was all in black. I had a black crop top, black cut off shorts, dark lipstick. And I was like, well, I stick out like a sore thumb. And so I was just like, all right, well, I'm just gonna have fun and like, go for it. And it ended up working out for me and booked it and it was my Broadway debut. And it was the most wonderful and exciting and challenging hard thing I've ever done in my life. And, you know, when it came time for us to close, it really did feel so premature because it's like you said, it's, this show actually does what theater overall claims to do. It changes people's lives. It really does. And it's so sneaky about how it does it because it fools you. Like you mentioned, it covers so many different hard topics, but it does it with such a bright, joyful, hopeful atmosphere that you're, you don't even realize that you're learning so much because you're laughing so hard and smiling and you're so invested. So, you know, this show was such a gift. It was a blessing. And I honestly never thought that I would come back to it. And I got to play Alyssa 10 times on Broadway.

[10:13] Alan Seales: So you were understudying both Emma and Alyssa.

[10:16] Kalyn West: Yeah. I started off understudying Alyssa and I understudied her the whole time. And then after the Tonys, I took over as the second Emma cover, never got to go on as Emma, but I got to learn, learn the track and just kind of, I was just like, yes, more, give me more. I like, I want to be in all parts of this show. Honestly, I want to play all the roles, all of them.

[10:38] Alan Seales: You want to be Barry Glickman?

[10:40] Kalyn West: Yes. One of my, I was literally saying this morning, I was like, if I do gender bending, I want to see Barry, sing Barry's going to prom. It's one of my favorite songs. It's one of my absolute favorite songs. So yeah, so and I like, it's just been such a surprise. You never know where things are going to take you. So here we are coming back to doing this show again. And like, it doesn't get old. It really doesn't. It's so, it's so beautiful. And it's such the heart of this show is so huge, and so resilient, and so genuine. It's, it's, it's, it's hard to not love being a part of it. You know, like, it's, it's a real gift.

[11:21] Alan Seales: Okay, I have talked a lot.

[11:23] Kalyn West: That's beautiful.

[11:25] Alan Seales: I have talked a lot.

[11:27] Kalyn West: All right, we'll cut that together.

[11:27] Alan Seales: Yeah, we'll, we'll, we'll come back to this, right? Because I have so many followers for that. But Kaden, tell me your story.

[11:32] Kaden Kearney: All right. Well, I also started out as a dancer. No, I'm just kidding.

[11:36] Kalyn West: We're all laughing.

[11:37] Kaden Kearney: In Salt Lake City.

[11:39] Kalyn West: Yeah. Well, actually, you did grow up around a lot of Mormons.

[11:43] Kaden Kearney: I did grow up around a lot of Mormons. We had just like my part of town had a lot of, a lot of Mormons. So a lot of my friends are Mormons. And I'm not gonna go down that road. Anyway, um, no, I did theater, you know, from a young age, like we had after school programs through our school where we did like little plays, and I participated in those and I loved it. And I did it all through high school, musical theater and theater and choir and never really was a dancer, not really my strong suit. I'm a strong mover. How many people identify I'm in that category. But that didn't stop me from doing musical theater. And, you know, I worked on my

[12:33] Kaden Kearney: It's been such a journey for both of us, especially during this time. I think we both have had to adapt to a lot of changes, and it's been really interesting to see how we've both grown through this process.

[13:34] Kaden Kearney: I remember when we first started rehearsals, it was a bit daunting. We had to wear masks while dancing, which was a challenge, but we made it work.

[13:39] Kaden Kearney: And I think that brought us closer together as a cast. We were all in it together, facing the same challenges, and it really created a sense of camaraderie.

[13:48] Kaden Kearney: I also think the audience's response has been incredible. They really connect with the message of the show, and it's been rewarding to see how it resonates with them.

[13:56] Kaden Kearney: I remember one night, after a performance, a young person came up to me and said how much the show meant to them. Moments like that make everything worth it.

[14:06] Kaden Kearney: And Kalyn, you have such an amazing background in theatre. Can you share a bit about your journey and how you got to this point?

[14:16] Kalyn West: Absolutely! I started in community theatre when I was really young. I fell in love with performing and knew I wanted to pursue it seriously.

[14:26] Kalyn West: After high school, I moved to New York City to chase my dreams. It was a big leap, but I was determined to make it work.

[14:36] Kalyn West: I auditioned for various shows and eventually landed a spot in the first national tour of Mean Girls, which was an incredible experience.

[14:46] Kalyn West: From there, I got the opportunity to audition for The Prom, and I was thrilled when I got the role of Alyssa.

[14:56] Kalyn West: The process has been a whirlwind, especially with everything happening in the world, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[15:06] Kalyn West: I think the challenges we faced during the pandemic have made us all more resilient and appreciative of the art we create.

[15:16] Kalyn West: And Kaden, I know you have a unique story as well. Can you tell us about your experience watching The Prom on Broadway and how that inspired you?

[15:26] Kalyn West: I remember sitting in the audience, completely captivated by the performances. It was such a powerful show, and I knew I wanted to be a part of something like that.

[15:36] Kalyn West: I begged my manager to get me an audition for the movie when it came out. I was so passionate about it, even though I didn't have a formal dance background.

[15:46] Kalyn West: But I think that just goes to show that if you have the drive and determination, you can make it happen, regardless of your background.

[15:56] Kalyn West: And now, here we are, both of us on this national tour, sharing this incredible experience together.

[16:06] Kalyn West: It's been amazing to develop our rapport on stage. I feel like we have a natural chemistry that makes our performances even more special.

[16:16] Kalyn West: The audiences have been so supportive, and it's heartwarming to see how they react to our performances.

[16:26] Kalyn West: I think the show really teaches empathy and understanding, and it's important for us to share that message.

[16:36] Kalyn West: I love being part of a show that tackles such important issues and encourages conversations about acceptance and love.

[16:46] Kalyn West: It's a privilege to be able to perform in a show that has such a positive impact on people's lives.

[16:56] Kalyn West: And I think that's what keeps us motivated, knowing that we're making a difference, even if it's just for one person in the audience.

[17:06] Kalyn West: I'm so grateful for this opportunity and for the chance to work alongside such talented individuals like Kaden.

[17:16] Kalyn West: It's been a journey, and I can't wait to see where it takes us next.

[17:26] Kalyn West: I think we both have so much more to learn and experience in this industry, and I'm excited for what the future holds.

[17:36] Kalyn West: Thank you for having us on the show, Alan. It's been a pleasure to share our stories.

[17:46] Kalyn West: And to everyone listening, we hope to see you at The Prom!

[17:56] Kalyn West: It's a show that truly celebrates love and acceptance, and we can't wait to share it with you.

[18:06] Kalyn West: So, thank you again, Alan, for this opportunity to talk about our experiences and the importance of theatre in our lives.

[18:16] Kalyn West: It's been a joy to reflect on our journey and share it with your audience.

[18:26] Kalyn West: We appreciate all the support from everyone, and we hope to continue inspiring others through our work.

[18:36] Kalyn West: Let's keep the conversation going about the importance of representation and empathy in the arts.

[18:46] Kalyn West: Thank you, everyone, for tuning in!

[18:56] Kalyn West: We hope to see you at a performance soon!

[19:06] Kalyn West: And remember, theatre is for everyone, and we all have a place in it.

[19:16] Kalyn West: So, keep dreaming big and pursuing your passions!

[19:26] Kalyn West: Thank you again, Alan, for this wonderful conversation.

[19:36] Kalyn West: It's been an honor to share our stories with you and your listeners.

[19:46] Kalyn West: We hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, just like we did.

[19:56] Kalyn West: And we can't wait to see what the future holds for all of us in this incredible industry.

[20:06] Kalyn West: Thank you, everyone, for your support and love!

[20:16] Kalyn West: We appreciate you all so much!

[20:26] Kalyn West: And we hope to see you at The Prom!

[20:36] Kalyn West: It's going to be an unforgettable experience!

[20:46] Kalyn West: Thank you again, Alan, for having us on the show.

[20:56] Kalyn West: It's been a pleasure to share our journey with you.

[21:06] Kalyn West: And we hope to continue inspiring others through our work in theatre.

[21:16] Kalyn West: So, thank you, everyone, for tuning in!

[21:26] Kalyn West: We appreciate your support and can't wait to see you at a performance!

[21:46] Kalyn West: Let's keep the conversation going about the importance of theatre in our lives.

[21:56] Kalyn West: Thank you again, Alan, for this opportunity to share our stories.

[22:06] Kalyn West: It's been a joy to reflect on our journey and share it with your audience.

[22:26] Kalyn West: We hope to continue inspiring others through our work in the arts.

[22:46] Kalyn West: Thank you, everyone, for your support!

[23:06] Kalyn West: We can't wait to see you at The Prom!

[23:26] Kalyn West: It's going to be an incredible experience!

[23:46] Kalyn West: Thank you again, Alan, for having us on the show.

[24:06] Kalyn West: It's been a pleasure to share our journey with you.

[24:16] Kalyn West: And we hope to continue inspiring others through our work in theatre.

[24:36] Kalyn West: So, thank you, everyone, for tuning in!

[24:56] Kalyn West: We appreciate your support and can't wait to see you at a performance!

[25:07] Kaden Kearney: I think the most challenging part was just figuring out how to navigate everything, especially with the pandemic. We had to adapt quickly and learn how to perform while wearing masks, which was definitely a unique experience.

[26:07] Kalyn West: Absolutely. I remember during rehearsals, we had to be so mindful of our spacing and how we interacted with each other. It was a lot of adjusting, but I think it brought us closer as a cast.

[27:07] Kaden Kearney: And the energy from the audience was something we really missed during the early days. Performing in front of a live audience again felt like a breath of fresh air.

[27:12] Kalyn West: Yes! There’s nothing like that immediate feedback. It’s what fuels us as performers.

[27:20] Kaden Kearney: I remember the first time we performed in front of a live audience after everything shut down. It was such an emotional moment for all of us.

[27:26] Kalyn West: Definitely. It reminded us why we do what we do.

[27:31] Kaden Kearney: And it’s also incredible to see how the show resonates with people, especially with the themes of acceptance and love.

[27:41] Kalyn West: For sure. I think it’s important for audiences to see stories that reflect real-life struggles and triumphs.

[27:51] Kaden Kearney: And being part of a show that promotes empathy is something I’m really proud of.

[28:11] Kalyn West: Same here. It’s a privilege to tell these stories and connect with people on such a deep level.

[28:21] Kaden Kearney: I also love how we get to share our own experiences through our characters. It makes the performances feel even more authentic.

[28:31] Kalyn West: Exactly! And I think that authenticity is what draws people in. They can see themselves in the characters we portray.

[28:41] Kaden Kearney: And it’s amazing to hear audience reactions after the show. It really shows the impact we can have.

[28:51] Kalyn West: Yes! I’ve had so many people come up to me and share their stories. It’s incredibly rewarding.

[29:01] Kaden Kearney: It really is. It makes all the hard work worth it.

[29:11] Kalyn West: And speaking of hard work, I remember when I was auditioning for The Prom. It was such a long process, but I was determined.

[29:21] Kaden Kearney: I can relate! I was so excited when I finally got the chance to audition. I had been dreaming about it for so long.

[29:41] Kalyn West: It’s funny how things come full circle. I was in the Broadway cast, and now we’re both on this national tour together.

[29:51] Kaden Kearney: It’s a dream come true! I feel so lucky to be sharing the stage with you.

[30:11] Kalyn West: Thank you! I feel the same way. It’s been such a joy working together.

[30:21] Kaden Kearney: And I think our chemistry really shines through on stage.

[30:41] Kalyn West: Absolutely! We’ve developed a great rapport, which makes the performances even more enjoyable.

[30:51] Kaden Kearney: I agree. It’s like we can read each other’s minds sometimes.

[31:11] Kalyn West: Yes! And that connection is so important in a show like this.

[31:31] Kaden Kearney: It really is. I think it helps us deliver the message of the show more effectively.

[31:51] Kalyn West: Definitely. And I love how we can bring our own personalities into our roles while still staying true to the characters.

[32:11] Kaden Kearney: That balance is key. It allows us to make the characters our own.

[32:31] Kalyn West: And it keeps things fresh for us as performers too.

[32:51] Kaden Kearney: Exactly! Every performance feels unique, which is one of the best parts of live theatre.

[33:11] Kalyn West: I couldn’t agree more. It’s such a dynamic art form.

[33:21] Kaden Kearney: And being able to share that with audiences across the country is such a privilege.

[33:31] Kalyn West: Yes! I love meeting people from different places and hearing their stories.

[33:51] Kaden Kearney: It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling.

[34:11] Kalyn West: Absolutely. And I think that’s what keeps us motivated to keep performing.

[34:31] Kaden Kearney: For sure. It’s all about connection and making a difference, even if it’s just for one person in the audience.

[34:51] Kalyn West: Exactly! That’s what makes it all worthwhile.

[35:11] Kaden Kearney: I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.

[35:31] Kalyn West: Same here! Here’s to many more performances together.

[35:51] Kaden Kearney: Cheers to that!

[36:11] Kalyn West: And to all the amazing audiences we get to share this experience with.

[36:31] Kaden Kearney: Absolutely! We couldn’t do it without them.

[36:51] Kalyn West: Here’s to the magic of theatre!

[37:12] Kaden Kearney: Yes! Long live live performance!

[37:41] Kalyn West: So, again, I agree. Like you said, playing Alyssa every night is really healing in a way, because, you know, I will date myself. I am not afraid of my age. I'm 32. And so it's like, there's no timeline for any of this. Like, I'm a 32-year-old woman, and I've only just, like, seen the full depths that I am. So it's like, and that's what I think is so special about this show, in particular, is that it's for literally all ages. It does not matter. You don't have to be a teenager, a kid. It's for everyone. Everyone can feel something from this, you know? Because everybody wants to love, and everybody wants to feel loved.

[38:29] Kaden Kearney: Yeah.

[38:30] Kalyn West: And that's it.

[38:31] Kaden Kearney: Yeah.

[38:31] Kalyn West: I mean, period, right? And that's what I love about these characters. The character of Mrs. Green, there's an amount of love there, because a mother loves her daughter, and she's trying to protect the daughter in her own way, albeit it's really messed up in the way that she's doing it, right? And then the daughter, Alyssa, wants to be loved, wants to be loved by the mom, because we always want to be loved by our parents. That's just ingrained in who we are as a species. And then you've got the need to love friendships, and to be accepted, to be loved, and to find that connection with a significant other, whether it be a best friend, or a lover, or whatever the case is. It all just comes down to love, and that transcends age, and race, and gender, and everything that you were just saying.

It's so beautiful to be able to see your personal journey now, and hear your story, right? Because I actually found that I'm happy. I'm very, very happy for you. And it was surprising, though, that you've gone through all the years of doing the show on Broadway, and then now the tour. It's this message, and this love that you've been around. And then, is it Caden that pulled this out of you? Is it the production? Is it whatever the case is, right? And you may not have an answer for this. I have a sort of answer, but go ahead. If that was not your question, continue.

[40:04] Kaden Kearney: Oh, no, no, no. Please, please.

[40:06] Kalyn West: I think, you know what? The things that are meant for us come to us when the time is right. They come to us when we need them. And I think everyone expects that the big, pivotal moments in our journey happen to us in our 20s, and we figure out who we are, and then you're set, and then you live the rest of your life that way. No, you will continue learning who you are until the day that you leave this planet. So, you know, I think at the time, you know, years ago, again, the layers, language is, you know, the best thing that we have, but it's not always the most correct. So, I identify as bisexual or pansexual is really maybe more accurate, which I always kind of knew, but I've always been in hetero relationships, which is true, which is a part of my truth, but I'd never given myself the freedom to explore the other side of things, you know?

And it's not that because I wasn't, you know, accepting of it or excited about it or supportive of it, like I was, I just, there really is something so strange about like, I had never just like looked at myself that way. Everyone around me, you know, the whole world affirmed, oh, you're straight, you're a straight, you're a straight woman. You're straight, you're a straight cis woman. Like that's all the world told me. And so it's like, okay. And I just, I guess, I mean, I was attracted to men. So I was like, okay, I guess this must be true. And so, I mean, because at the time when I was doing prom Broadway, I was in a hetero relationship, you know? So, and that's just, I think it was just the timing.

I think that, you know, I got to a certain point in my life before, before prom came around, before I met Caden, where I could just sort of feel something shifting. And I talked to friends about it and I just, I couldn't really put my finger on it, but I just had this feeling that I needed to like go down this other pathway, you know? And I needed to explore and I needed, I really needed to open that door. And then once I, you know, so the, so I really think it was like, it was like perfect timing. And then the fact that the prom came back into my world at that moment was truly just the universe going, I see where you're going, I'm going to help you. Like, I trust her so much. And so I think that it happened right when it was supposed to, you know? And I really, I really believe that to be true about so many things. I think we put so much pressure on ourselves to like figure it out and have all the answers, but that's not what life is.

[42:45] Kaden Kearney: No, no, I agree with you 1000 million, billion, trillion percent. It's anyone who wants to be a better person should be, becomes a better person by never trying to stop, by consciously trying to never stop learning, right? It's about learning more. It's about helping others. It's about becoming more self-aware and aware of others' feelings and emotions and just empathy, right? It's this, this is, God, this is a show that should teach you empathy. And, and there's a, there's a story that I've heard. I forget if it's Caitlin or Izzy from the prom cast that I've heard them tell it a couple times that when they were doing the out of town prior to Broadway, there was an old grumpy man who came up during the stage door afterwards and was like, if I had known what this show was going to be, I wouldn't have come.

But now I'm really glad I did because it changed my life, right? Like you hear these stories all the time of people who, if they knew that it was like, yeah, it's a story about lesbians, they wouldn't give it the time of day. But then because it is a story about love and presented in a way that makes you feel good and laugh at the same time, you're going to take that away from you in a way that, that maybe you never realize how important it was to you in that moment.

[44:08] Kalyn West: 100%.

[44:09] Kaden Kearney: 100%. All right. So that I think is a lovely place to wrap up and I'm going to, I have three standard closing questions that I ask everybody. So we'll take turns and I'll ask each of you the same three questions. So the very first one, Caitlin, let's start with you. Just what motivates you?

[44:24] Kalyn West: I think the biggest thing that motivates me is the world around me, you know, people, injustice in the world and wanting to do my part to make that as, you know, to push that needle forward. I think that definitely gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me going.

[44:54] Kaden Kearney: Yeah. Caitlin?

[44:56] Kalyn West: Hope. Because none of that happens if we don't hang on to hope.

[45:03] Kaden Kearney: I like that. All right. So Caitlin, we'll start with you for the second question. What advice would you give to your younger self and younger people listening now starting out down a similar path?

[45:10] Kalyn West: Oh, so much. I mean, oh, geez, just, it's gonna be okay. Trust, like, trust your journey. Trust yourself. Develop your intuition. Develop your self-respect. Be kind to everyone around you. Everyone's journey is going to look so different than yours. It is not a competition. It is not a competition. I could like go on, but really, it's just like, find out who you are. Believe in who you are. Be your own cheerleader. Be everybody else's cheerleader. And really examine your why. Why you're in the rooms that you're in. Why are you doing this? And making sure that it's always coming from this authentic place of wanting to give primarily over get.

[46:14] Kaden Kearney: That is lovely. All right. How do I follow that up? I would say just, you know, believe that you can be yourself in this world. And if you don't see yourself out there, that doesn't mean that you can't do it. And that your perspective is one perspective in a sea of perspectives. And every single other person you will encounter in this life has one perspective in a sea of perspectives. And so, always keep that in mind and talk to and learn from as many people as you can.

[46:58] Kalyn West: Both such amazing, beautiful answers. Okay. So, here is the final question, the hardest one, Caden. We'll start with you again. If you could only see one show for the rest of your life, but you can see it as many times as you want, what would you see?

[47:05] Kaden Kearney: Look at her face! Stunned silence.

[47:16] Kaden Kearney: Oh, no! I think... Okay, I'm just going to go with my gut. And my gut said Rent.

[47:25] Kalyn West: Do we hate me? I love that show. That show means so much to me. And it's beautiful. And yeah, I'm just going to go with that because that's where my gut went. So, I would watch Rent over and over.

[47:39] Kalyn West: I would say In the Heights. Because that was the first time that I really saw people who looked like me on stage. And the first time that I saw a show and heard music that I was like, oh, there's a place for me there. Wow, that's me. Because normally, growing up as a kid, I didn't see myself anywhere in theater at all. I'm Columbian American. And in my entire career, I have auditioned for one role that said Columbian, and I didn't get it.

[48:12] Kaden Kearney: Wow.

[48:12] Kalyn West: So, In the Heights was the first time that I really saw something that just spoke to me on this whole other blood level. And so yeah, I would choose that show.

[48:27] Alan Seales: All right, well, let's wrap up. Tell us where we can find you on social media. Kaelin, start with you.

[48:33] Kalyn West: Yeah, so my handle is misscurlykay, M-I-S-S-K-U-R-L-Y-K-A-Y. You'll see lots of pictures of my baby nephews, and maybe some poetry on my Instagram.

[48:48] Kaden Kearney: Beautiful. You can find me on Instagram as well. My handle, that's what it's called, is, you can tell I'm really savvy, is Kayden O. Carney. So, my first name, and then O, and then my last name. And I post sometimes. But I'm on it. I'm on it. I'm there, I promise.

[49:12] Kalyn West: We both have some pretty healthy boundaries around social media.

[49:19] Alan Seales: Good, good, good. We try. Well, you can get more episodes like these at bpn.fm slash ttp. My handles, my call signs, are theater underscore podcast on Instagram and Twitter. I'm on TikTok. I don't know what I'm doing on TikTok, but it's the theater podcast. Leave a rating and a review wherever you are listening now. Share the podcast. It helps grow these amazing stories. This has been edited by Well-Rounded Hoodland Productions. Jukebox the Ghost gave us our music. And Kaelin and Kayden, thank you so much for providing the amazing, amazing conversation. Kaelin, you love Jukebox?

[49:48] Kalyn West: I love Jukebox. Sorry, I just got very excited.

[49:52] Alan Seales: Yep, yep, yep. So, when you listen back to this, you will hear Jukebox the Ghost music.

[49:58] Kalyn West: Yeah.

[50:00] Alan Seales: Thank you so much for having us. This is great. This is amazing.

[50:05] Kalyn West: Take a deep breath, make the world a little colorful.